Patriots quarterback Drake Maye isn’t buying into any superstitions as New England prepares to face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon in Foxborough, Mass.
Maye, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, has made it clear that he isn’t intimidated by the “rookie wall,” a phenomenon that states that first-year players begin to drop off at a certain point in the season. The 22-year-old is set to make his ninth appearance (eighth start) of the campaign here in Week 13.
“As a starting quarterback, I don’t really think a rookie wall is going to hit me,” Maye said. “I think by this time, everybody is going through some type of injury, tired or something like that. So, what an opportunity to be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots.
“So, really no rookie wall for me.”
However, Maye did struggle for a good portion of the Patriots’ 34-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. He finished with 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 22-of-37 passing.
New England coach Jerod Mayo knows that facing Indianapolis (5-7) won’t be any easier for the young signal-caller.
“The Colts, it’s going to be a huge challenge for us,” Mayo said. “I would say defensively, this is one of the better fronts, more disruptive fronts that we have faced this year.”
It was the offense that let down Indianapolis last Sunday, as quarterback Anthony Richardson and Co. collected only 11 first downs in a 24-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. Richardson completed 11 of 28 passes for 172 yards. He was also the Colts’ leading rusher (10 carries, 61 yards).
Star running back Jonathan Taylor was held to 35 yards on 11 carries against Detroit, but Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen is hopeful that he will do more damage against the Patriots (3-9).
“We wanna be efficient running the football,” Steichen said. “We gotta get those 3, 4, 5 yards a pop and then hopefully hit the big ones this week.”
Getting the run going could become even more important if wide receivers Josh Downs, Alec Pierce and Ashton Dulin aren’t able to take the field. All three wouldn’t have practiced on Wednesday had the Colts not opted to simply do a walkthrough.
Downs’ absence could end up hurting Indianapolis the most. The second-year man has a team-leading 53 catches for 594 yards and four TDs.
“I think it’s going to be tough for him this week,” Steichen said of the possibility of having Downs ready to go. “Not ruling him out, but could be tough for him this week.”
Joining Downs (shoulder), Pierce (foot) and Dulin (ankle) as a would-be spectator at practice was center Tanor Bortolini, who is dealing with a concussion.
Twelve players with injury designations were limited during New England’s practice on Wednesday, including receiver Demario Douglas (ankle), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee) and safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (knee).
Peppers returned to the team this week after a stint on the commissioner’s exempt list that stemmed from an Oct. 5 arrest. He was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute and charged with assault and battery on an intimate partner, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of a Class B drug.
Peppers has pleaded not guilty.
